AN orchard planted at RAF St Mawgan to celebrate Her late Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee is bearing fruit.

The Platinum Orchard, which began as a bold planting initiative in November 2022, has grown into a vibrant, multi-site orchard bursting with “life, purpose and community spirit.”

More than 300 fruit trees, apple, plum, pear, quince and cherry, were planted across four locations at the airbase as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, honouring Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and championed by King Charles III.

The orchard also supports Cornwall Council’s ambitious nature recovery goals, aiming to restore 30 per cent of wild spaces by 2030.

Planted by station personnel and community volunteers, the orchard aims to promote biodiversity and provide fruit for personnel and their families, demonstrating the station's commitment to environmental stewardship and community collaboration.

Backed by The Eden Project’s National Wildflower Centre, Forest for Cornwall, VIVO Defence Services, and local volunteers, the orchard is now a living symbol of the RAF’s commitment to a net zero future by 2040.

The project was spearheaded by VIVO’s Southwest Grounds Maintenance team and approved by RAF St Mawgan’s Station Commander, Wing Commander Helen Simpson, who rallied the base and military families for a station-wide planting event.

An additional 200 broadleaf trees were planted to shield the orchard from Atlantic winds.

Wing Commander Helen Simpson said: “The Platinum Orchard is a lasting tribute to Her Late Majesty and a powerful example of what we can achieve together for our environment.”

VIVO’s Operations Director James Forrester added: “It’s inspiring to see these orchards flourish. This initiative united our community and supports the MOD’s NetZero mission. This was a great community initiative involving local military families, the base, environmental groups and VIVO working together, and it helps the MOD in its NetZero aims, which is good for the environment.”